On June 8, 1984, the world was introduced to the awesomeness that is Ghostbusters. I remember seeing it for the first time and, sad to say, it was not at the drive-in. I was in the Lockport Mall movie theaters in a packed theater laughing along with a couple hundred other people. We laughed from the moment the movie started and we cheered when the movie ended. The movie works on so many levels that it is literally impossible to at least not admit that it is a good movie. I know plenty of people who say that they don’t like Ghostbusters, but they all admit it is a good movie.

The 1980’s was the last “golden age of comedy” for movie audiences. The garbage that is passed off as comedy these days would not even get the green light in the 1980s. I could talk for hours about the excellent comedies that came out in the 1980s, but Ghostbusters is and always will be the pinnacle of 1980s comedy.

Every good movie starts off with the right cast. A good cast does not necessarily need to be filled with famous people; it just needs to have the right actors playing each role. With Ghostbusters, every single actor was perfect for their role. Try to imagine John Belushi and Eddie Murphy in this movie instead of Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson. Nothing against Belushi and Murphy as they are both comedic legends, but the movie would not work the same without Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson working alongside of Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd.

The star power of Bill Murray was off the charts by the time Ghostbusters came out. He had already done Caddyshack and Stripes by this point in his career and the announcement that Murray would be starring in this movie along with Dan Aykoyd instantly made it a summer blockbuster before it was released. Luckily for everyone involved, Ghostbusters delivered on the hype.

Everything in this movie just works. From the catchy (and plagiarized) theme song to the myriad of Bill Murray catch phrases, this movie simply could not miss. It was the perfect cast performing the perfect story in an era when stories like this were popular. The timing and chemistry between Akyroyd, Murray, Hudson and Ramis is undeniable and the strength of the script is what makes it a classic. It is the kind of movie that you can watch over and over again and never be bored. Any comedy you can watch over and over again and never be bored is an excellent comedy. I haven’t seen a comedy that matched that description in a very long time.

Rounding out the cast is Rick Moranis in the role that made his career. He can shrink the kids all he wants and he can be Canada’s number one hoser, but he will always be remembered as the wormy accountant on Ghostbusters. Moranis’ time on the screen is substantial for a supporting actor and he gets the most out of every minute. His transformation from the socially awkward neighbor to the potential vehicle of the apocalypse is smooth and extremely funny.

Then there is Sigourney Weaver. I am not a big fan of Weaver’s, but I love her performance in this movie. I have always failed to see her sex appeal, but that is always a matter of personal preference. Besides, her sex appeal takes a back seat in this movie to her completely inconsistent relationship with Bill Murray’s character. But, once again, it all works so well that it cannot help but he funny.

Since I grew up with Ghostbusters, it is difficult for me to appreciate the significance of the iconic images the movie has created. When a nine-year-old sees a picture of the Ghostbuster’s white hearse and recognizes it instantly, then that is the sign of a movie that continues to cross into each successive generation.

Why is Ghostbusters still so popular 30 years after its release? Because it is real humor delivered by experts at their craft. The movie does not rely on obscenities to get a laugh and no one is passing gas to get a giggle. It shows how brilliant Ramis and Aykroyd were and it also shows us how Bill Murray made good comedy look so effortless. With so many geniuses involved in this project, it was destined to succeed from the very start.

George N Root III is a movie fanatic and loves 1980’s comedies. The drive-in is almost done for the season, so get out at least once before the screens go dark for the winter.

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